In this post, you can find our League of Ireland Odds + Weekly Acca as we look forward to an action-packed season of Irish Football.
The League of Ireland Premier Division continued with its drama last Friday Night, Shelbourne lead the way at the top of the table with their win over Rovers’ putting them 6 clear of closest challengers Derry City. Dundalk remain routed at the bottom of the table albeit only 3 behind nearest neighbour Drogheda.
We’re continuing our domestic coverage with another preview of the weekly action along with a weekly acca for readers to consider!
Week 18 Acca Selections
Dundalk vs Derry City - BTTS + Draw @ 15/4
St Patrick’s Athletic vs Galway United - Under 2.5 Goals and St Patrick’s Athletic Win @ 7/2
Shelbourne vs Sligo Rovers - Under 2.5 Goals and Shelbourne Win @ 21/10
Drogheda vs Shamrock Rovers - Shamrock Rovers -1 @ 13/10
Waterford vs Bohemians - Waterford @ 7/4
An accumulator with these selections pays at approximately 418//1 with BoyleSports
Dundalk v Derry City – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Dundalk @ 7/2
Derry City @ 4/5
Draw @ 12/5
Preview
Dundalk remain at the foot of the table following their 2-0 defeat against Galway last Friday Night, which was also Jon Daly’s first as Dundalk manager. Everything that could go wrong this season has gone wrong on and off the pitch for the club, however, their recent late victory against Shamrock Rovers means they’re only 3 points behind Drogheda in second from bottom.
Derry City are a curious case, currently occupying 2nd place in the Premier Division albeit 6 behind Shelbourne there is a strong sense that they haven’t put up the points or performances required to trouble the title this season as we approach the halfway point. There will be an interesting dynamic at play on Friday with plenty of the Derry squad's former Dundalk players.
Prediction: Dundalk 1-1 Derry City
Dundalk have been hopeless and yet there is a sense that if they get any sort of form together they should be too good to be relegated. This is a must-win for Derry after going winless in their last 2 games. I can see this being a scored draw though, both sides know each other well.
Best Bet: - BTTS + Draw @ 15/4
St Patrick’s Athletic v Galway United – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
St Patrick’s Athletic @ 6/5
Galway United @ 23/10
Draw @ 21/10
Preview
Stephen Kenny is now 4 games into his St Patrick’s Athletic tenure and following draws against Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians along with a 1-2 defeat against Shelbourne they earned their first into his return to the LOI in the Leinster Senior Cup Quarter-Final on Monday where they Bray away with 0-3 victory. However, no matter how long the “project” is Kenny needs to find a win sooner rather than later or questions will come even if those questions would be hyperbolic.
Galway have put themselves well and truly out of the relegation conversation with an unbeaten last 5 league matches with an 11-point total which is good enough to put them 4th in the table and 1 behind reigning Premier Division Champions Shamrock Rovers. They may not play the most attractive brand of football under Caulfield, but they play effective football and could now have a chance of landing European Football for next season.
Prediction: St Patrick’s Athletic 1-0 Galway United
St Patrick’s Athletic are due a win under Stephen Kenny and despite their “struggles” if they can get things right they’re a far better club than their league position suggests. As ever, Galway will remain a tough test though, but I can see the home win grabbing a narrow win.
Best Bet: Under 2.5 Goals and St Patrick’s Athletic Win @ 7/2
Shelbourne v Sligo Rovers– Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Shelbourne @ 6/10
Sligo Rovers @ 5/1
Draw @ 5/2
Preview
Shelbourne have silenced their doubters who suggested a run of poor results was an indication of an impending free fall with 3 victories on the spin to put themselves 6 points clear at the top of the table. Their recent 0-2 win against Shamrock Rover ensures they are very much in a title race and will continue to be so in the coming weeks.
Sligo Rovers are in very much average form with 2 draws, 2 defeats and 1 win in their last 5 games which puts them third from them 4 ahead of Drogheda and 7 ahead of Dundalk. The club are in bad need of a victory with the sides above continuing to pick up points they need a win to ensure they don’t become cut adrift with Drogheda and Dundalk.
Prediction: Shelbourne 1-0 Sligo Rovers
Shelbourne are the real deal and there is a stoic nature about the side which sees them continuing to pick up points even when not playing at their best. This is a tough game for Sligo Rovers too and while I don’t they will be embarrassed I suspect Shels supporters will be singing again on Friday Night.
Best Bet: Under 2.5 Goals and Shelbourne Win @ 21/10
Drogheda v Shamrock Rovers – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Drogheda @ 5/1
Shamrock Rovers @ 4/9
Draw @ 16/5
Preview
Drogheda have lost their last 2 league games, which puts them in a weird kind of purgatory in second from the bottom 4 points behind Sligo Rovers and only 3 ahead of their biggest rivals Dundalk. What initially looked like a positive pre-season for the club has shown to be pre-mature with teething errors following investment into the club means they’re back in a relegation dogfight this season. They have lost their last two games against Rovers’ scoring 0 goals and conceding 9 in total and will want a better performance on Friday.
Shamrock Rovers’ are showing a fragility in their make-up quite unlike they have shown in previous seasons and with just 1 win and 4 points from their last 5 league games they now trail Derry in second place by 3 points and Shelbourne by 9 points. Despite their form, you still feel there is more to come with this team, but they need to find it sooner rather than later or their title aspirations will be in serious jeopardy.
Prediction: Drogheda 0-2 Shamrock Rovers
Drogheda are in worrying form, and I can’t see it changing this week even against an out-of-form Rovers’. I expect Shamrock Rovers to run out comfortable winners in this game though.
Best Bet: Shamrock Rovers -1 @ 13/10
Waterford v Bohemians– Saturday 7.45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Waterford @ 7/4
Bohemians @ 13/8
Draw @ 21/10
Preview
Waterford continue to prove their doubters very much wrong following 4 wins and 1 defeat in their last 5 matches they currently occupy 5th in the league and look more likely to challenge for European Football rather than be in a relegation race. Another win would put them 4 ahead of Bohemians who are immediately above them ahead of this game.
Bohemians are very much a mixed bag and are consistently inconsistent. The club are currently 6th in the league after 2 draws, 2 defeats a 1 win in their last 5 league games into 6th place which ironically despite their chopping and changing is exactly where they concluded the 2023 Premier Division season.
Prediction: Waterford 1-0 Bohemians
Both management teams will know each other well, but Waterford are the more stable side right now and I think they do enough to win this game.
Best Bet: Waterford @ 7/4
*Prices subject to fluctuation
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